[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 122 (Wednesday, October 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1662-E1663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL WALK OUR CHILD TO SCHOOL DAY IN HONOR OF JOHN 
                                 LAZOR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 3, 2000

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Wendy Lazor, Councilman 
Ed Fitzgerald, the Lakewood City Council, and the Lakewood Board of 
Education for their work in establishing the ``International Walk your 
Child to School Day,'' in honor and memory of John Lazor.
  The tragic loss of three-year-old John Lazor occurred on April 26, 
2000, while on an innocent walk to the corner store with his day care 
provider. A pickup truck backed from across the street into the 
driveway which young John was standing in, killing him instantly. This 
tragedy emphasizes the importance of taking precautions and the need 
for children's safety education. John's courageous mother, Wendy Lazor, 
has decided to dedicate herself to the advocacy of pedestrian safety, 
especially children. Amazingly, she found strength in the midst of her 
loss to work as an advocate for the public good. She is the driving 
force behind Lakewood, Ohio's recent resolution to establish Wednesday, 
October 4, 2000, as National Walk Our Children to School Day.
  Along with the help of the Lakewood Board of Education, City Council 
and Councilman Ed Fitzgerald, The Lakewood Early Childhood 
Professionals has decided to dedicate a special event, the National 
Walk Our Children to School Day, in John Lazor's honor. All of Lakewood 
can participate in this event, in which the purpose is to provide an 
opportunity for adults to teach children about pedestrian safety and 
choosing safe routes to school, and to help make our communities more 
safe for walking. Because Lakewood is a densely populated city, and one 
in whose children typically walk to and from school on a daily basis, 
the City Board of Education has decided to support and encourage 
participation in National Walk Our Children to School Day. The city's 
main event, honoring the memory of Wendy Lazor's son, John, will be 
held at his old school, Franklin Elementary.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my fellow colleagues to rise with me in 
recognition of the hard work

[[Page E1663]]

and dedication of Wendy Lazor, Councilman Ed Fitzgerald, and the rest 
of the City of Lakewood's Public and Educational Leadership for their 
support of the National Walk Our Children to School Day. And let us 
honor the memory of the young John Lazor, and the courage of his 
mother, Wendy, for striving to better the community even in the face of 
personal strife and distress. Her selfless compassion and triumph in 
the face of tragedy is inspirational to all.

                          ____________________